Travelling on my birthday has always been a yearly plan. Since I heard wonderful stories from our brethren who volunteered in Mission Exchange, I decided to give it a try…to be part of the mission. Two months before the mission dates when I submitted my registration form. It was my discernment to be in Rwanda team but the Lord had a different plan for me. Through the recommendation of our Chapter Head, I received an approval to be in Team India. Yehey!
The preparation. It was part of my previous job to be in charge of my colleagues’ business trips arrangement. From flights to accommodations, to the itinerary, I have the full control of organizing everything. This was not the case for Mission Exchange - Team India. Things did not happen according to the schedule I set for myself as I had to wait for the other volunteers’ confirmation. Worried that we would not be able to find the flight and get our visa on time, I was frustrated. Then, we were advised to do the confession. In my confession, I surrendered to Him all my worries and doubts. Through the message of the priest, the Lord had spoken to me - I should not have this fear for He is the one who planted my desire to be a missionary. I only need to PRAY, LET GO and LET GOD take over it. I experienced peace and love in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He set me free from apprehensions and uncertainties. I went home lighthearted knowing that He will help us in our preparation. And yes, He did. We managed to book our air tickets and get our visa in the same week. Yehey!
September 1, 2017 - Day 1. After 1 international flight + 2 domestic flights we arrived at Dimapur Airport, India. It took another 2 hours on the road to reach Zubza, the mission venue. With almost 24 hours on our journey with less sleep, we should be taking rest. However, we had to take on with what we needed to do. Our 1st day itinerary was to meet the SFC service team for a short fellowship and empowerment. Surprisingly, we need to immediately change the activities by conducting the Christian Life Program (CLP) instead of what we had planned. Participants have gathered already and waiting for us to start. Seeing those participants, waiting patiently brought out the HEART OF A MISSIONARY in me. The Lord gave these young adults of Zubza for us to be blessed and be a blessing to others. To help. To serve. To love and to teach.
September 2, 2017 - Day 2. It was a beautiful morning, with a picturesque view of the mountainous village of Zubza. We were all so excited to start our day by attending the early mass before heading to the CLP venue. On our way, I saw a group of boys playing basketball inside the church compound while enjoying the drizzle drops from the sky. I’ve noticed that some of them are not wearing any pair of sports shoes but still having a good time. They found happiness in the simplest of things. Their laughter is a proof that the company of each other is more than enough than anything else. It leads me to a realization that having a great life doesn’t depend on material things you possess. Lesson learned - Be happy with the little you have. There are some people with nothing who still manage to smile.
September 3, 2017 – Day 3. It is our third and the busiest day with back to back activities. Starting from attending the Sunday mass, completing the Christian Character Weekend (CCW) talks, conducting the YFC Youth Camp, facilitating the KFC Kids Day, meeting all the CFC Couple coordinators of each ministry and be with them on their Household meeting. We’ve got so much on our plate and yet the Lord reveals His Greatness. As a human nature in need of sleep and rest, I’m so amazed at how we were able to conduct this mission. Without His Divine Intervention, we could never have done it as planned. In 2 Corinthians 12:10, “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I AM WEAK, I AM STRONG.” It’s only because of the Grace of the Lord that we’re able to accomplish it all. He made the impossible possible.
September 4, 2017 – Day 4. Our last day in Zubza, Nagaland. It’s the moment to bid farewell for the land who adopted us, the land who gave us the opportunity to be our Father’s modern disciples. From all the priests and nuns who humbled themselves and welcome us during our courtesy visits, to the CFC-SFC Nagaland service team who assisted us throughout the mission, to all the participants who said ‘yes’ to our invitation, and to the children we assisted during our school visit, I cannot thank them enough. Deep inside, I know that we’re going home with so much love to share. The bond that we have with all the people we’ve met is priceless. There is nothing so wonderful – nothing - as tasting the joy and success of missionary labors.
I am so blessed that the Lord has called me to serve Him as a missionary – to lead others closer to Christ. It was indeed the best birthday celebration I’ve ever had. For the past years of my existence and with so many things to thank for, it is right and just to glorify Him. My birthday, without a doubt, is not only about me, but, it is the perfect time to give back to my Creator. From the preparation until we were back in UAE, everything was a revelation of His Love and self-discovery. How awesome is that! To be an instrument of His peace – to proclaim Jesus Christ to everyone we encountered. I thank the Lord for allowing me to be like Him, to be SELFLESS, to be HUMBLE and to be BRAVE on my faith. I love mission! I find such joy in being able to collapse on my pillow each night knowing that my whole day has been devoted to the Lord and to proclaiming Him to all. The experience is something I will highly recommend to all SFC members. Imagine, over thousands of SFC members in the world, He chose us to take a huge part on other people’s lives- their Christian journey. Truly, it is such an honor!
And for all of that, may God be praised!
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